2011 Kia Sorento

2011 Kia SorentoLoaded with features!



By Charles Donaldson

There are a number of reasons why we decide on a particular body style of vehicle – coupe, convertible, sedan, wagon, crossover, or SUV.  For example, we might be interested in the basic functionality, ride, fuel economy, performance, cargo capacity, or maybe even how many people we can semi-comfortably cram into it. Typically, the main reason people choose a crossover is that they want the utilitarian abilities of an SUV, but with the car-like ride and fuel sipping characteristics of a car. The trend these days is moving away from an SUV in favor of a crossover, which is why Kia has decided to re-engineer its 2011 Sorento over to a more comfortable car based crossover platform.

 The 2011 Kia Sorento is the first Kia to be built in the United States and at its new manufacturing plant in Georgia. As part of the Sorento transition, Kia skipped the 2010 model year and went straight from a 2009 to a 2011 when releasing the second-generation Sorento. Many people buy Korean cars to save money and with the Real Estate marketing being what it is today, we are all eager to save a dollar. The flip side is since our vehicle is also a major extension of our office, it could be a major sin if our interior cabin matched the quality of a college dorm verses an upscale corporate image.

So does the 2011 Sorento reflect this level of prestige? Well, the answer is yes and no. The base interior is just that basic. However, you are heading in the right direction when you upgrade to the leather interior in the EX trim. With that said even the base level Sorento comes standard with BlueTooth, USB, and auxiliary audio input jacks, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, AM/FM/CD/MP3 with satellite radio capability, telescope steering wheel, trip computer, air conditioning and more.

The LX trim adds roof rails, rear sonar, heated front seats, and backup camera with a monitor in the rear-view mirror and fog lights. The top-of-the-line EX, which is what I tested, can be packaged to approach luxury levels including navigation, heated leather seats, DVD entertainment system, third row seating, and a panoramic sunroof. The EX trim is definitely worthy of trekking clients and passengers from home to home.

The front seats are a bit hard and after sitting behind the wheel for a few hours you begin to feel it. The second row provides adequate legroom, while the third row seat is better suited for small children. With the third row seats in place, you have limited your rear storage area to about one row of grocery bags.

As pointed out above, the 2011 Kia Sorento is available in three trim levels, 2WD or 4WD drive and with two engine options. The base 2WD model starts at $20,790 followed by LX 2WD starting at $23,190, LX 4WD $24,890, EX 2WD 4-cyl $25,390, EX 4WD 4-cyl $27,090. All models come standard with a 4-cylinder, 2.4-liter 172 horsepower engine, with MPG ratings of 21 city and 29 highway-(2WD), 21 city and 27 highway (4WD). If you need more power the EX trims offer a V6 3.5-liter 273 hp motor for an additional $900.

Kia has decided to remain conservative producing a nice, yet unassuming exterior style. It wouldn’t be too difficult for the Sorento to get lost in the crowd, however, with all the cool features inside you might not care.  Still, it would have been nice if Kia could have added a more edgy exterior façade.

Room for improvement:

·         Third row seat is best suited for children

·         Hard front seats

Cool Features:

·        Standard Bluetooth ready

·        Remote engine start with Smart Key (on EX versions)

·        Optional Navigation with Traffic Data and Rear Camera Display ($2000)

Safety features on the 2011 Sorento comes in the form of air bags and lots of them: driver head and curtain, front passenger, rear curtain and rear side. Other safety features include child door locks, traction control, and optional rear camera.

In Summary – The 2011 Kia Sorento delivers a smooth ride at prices that are loaded with standard features.  The exterior styling might not be break-through, but it is a good looking vehicle. The upscale trim levels may add a few extra bucks, but do include worthwhile up- grades.

For more information and a complete list of features and specification go to www.autofastracks.com.

Specifications

2011 Kia Sorento EX FWD

Base price:                  $24,795    as driven: $29,340 (with destination charges)

Engine:                         2.4-Liter V4

Horsepower:               172 @ 6000 rpm

Torque:                       169 pound-feet @ 3750 rpm

Transmission:              Six-speed Automatic with Overdrive

Drive:                          Front-Wheel Drive

Seating:                       7-passenger

Turning circle:             35.7 feet

Cargo space:               72.5 cubic feet

Curb weight:               3605 pounds

Fuel capacity:              18 gallons

EPA mileage:              29 highway, 21 city

Wheel Base:                106.3 inches

Warranty:                    10 years/100,000 miles

Also consider:             Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Edge, Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-7, and Toyota RAV4

2010 Jeep Commander

2010 Jeep CommanderCommanding the Off-Road!



 By Charles Donaldson

It’s boxy, for a big SUV. No, it’s not a Hummer it’s a 2010 Jeep Commander! Think of the last version of the Jeep Cherokee on steroids, lots of steroids. The Commander is a capable vehicle that longs for the rugged off-road terrain. It seats seven passengers comfortably and has room for your real estate signs and more! I must admit I was surprised with the fit and finish both inside and out.

Jeep buyers prefer the rough, boxy-classic style over smooth curvy lines. The Jeep Commander has a retro profile that should please the loyalist. Its styling breaks away from the current trends of softening the corners and angles of other large SUV’s. It definitely stands out in a crowd. If you ask anyone why they buy a Jeep the first thing they will tell you is because it is a true terrain, trailblazing vehicle. Taking the trail less traveled is built into the Jeep DNA!

For 2010, the Jeep Commander comes in four variations: Sport 2WD ($32,355), Sport 4WD ($34,355), Limited 2WD ($40,990), Limited 4WD ($43,610). The Overland trim was discontinued. The Sport models come with a 210 horsepower 3.7-liter V6 engine mated to an automatic transmission. Both Limited versions upgrade to a 5.7-liter 357 HP Hemi V8. The Commander is based off the Grand Cherokee platform and is two inches longer and 3.2 inches taller than the Grand Cherokee.

The cabin area of the 2010 Commander has comfortable front seats. The second and third row seats are stadium styled providing a better view for passengers as you drive from house to house. You would expect the legroom in the third row to be limited, yet it is suggesting that its best suited for children. I would have preferred a little more leg room in the second row, however, unless your clients are extremely tall they will remain comfortable during your house hunting expedition. Behind the third seat you have 7.5 cubic feet of cargo space that, with the second and third row seats folded down, can grow to 68.5 cubic feet.

While the outside of the Commander is masculine looking, the inside has an upscale feel. The controls and gauges are well placed and easy to use. The center console frames the optional touch screen media center and climate controls; in silver on the Sport, and a wood grain design on the Limited. Our test Sport vehicle also had the optional power sunroof with Command View 2^nd row skylights, which created an open-air feeling. The third row seat area had its own temperature controls and plenty of storage areas.

The 2010 Jeep Commander delivers a smooth ride and responsive handling. As mentioned, both models can be purchased as a 4WD which includes the basic Quadra Trac 4WD system. You can upgrade to the full-time active Quadra Trac II 4WD that includes front and rear electronic limited slip differential, hill start assist, and hill descent control.

You’ll be ready for the road with these features on the 2010 Commander: the Sport edition features 17-inch alloy wheels, roof rack, full power accessories, front and rear air conditioning, rear parking sensors, heated exterior mirrors, eight way power driver seat, and a six speaker audio system with a CD/MP3 player. The Limited edition adds to the list: remote engine start, auto dimming exterior mirrors, dual zone climate control, heated second row seats, power lift gate, and driver seat memory.

Room for improvement:

·         Third row seat is best suited for children

Cool Features:

·        Overhead Skylights (optional)

·        Rear View Camera (optional)

·        Remote engine start (on Limited versions)

Safety features on the Jeep Commander include full length side curtain airbags, stability control with rollover mitigation, traction control, and antilock disc brakes. These features and more helped the 2010 Jeep Commander score high in the safety ratings earning five stars for frontal collision protection.

In Summary – The 2010 Jeep Commander offers the off road vacationers a vehicle that is capable and has the skills to meet most challenges. It does so with a comfortable interior that can be loaded with high tech features including GPS navigation, rear camera, power adjustable pedals, and a rear seat entertainment system! The styling of the Commander is unique which in this case may not be for everyone, however, for Jeep loyalists it will be a hit.

Specifications

2010 Jeep Commander Sport 4x4

Base price:                  $33,575    as driven: $38,100 (with destination charges)

Engine:                         3.7-Liter V6

Horsepower:               210 @ 5200 rpm

Torque:                       235 pound-feet @ 4000 rpm

Transmission:               Five-speed Automatic with Overdrive

Drive:                          Four-Wheel Drive

Seating:                       7-passenger

Turning circle:              38.7 feet

Cargo space:               68.5 cubic feet

Curb weight:                4710 pounds

Fuel capacity:               21.1 gallons

EPA mileage:               19 highway, 14 city

Wheel Base:                 109.5 inches

Warranty:                     5 years/100,000 miles

Also consider:              Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Explorer, Hummer H3, and Nissan Pathfinder

2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

2010 Mercedes-Benz C-ClassThe sleek baby-Benz!



By Charles Donaldson

Today’s economy has us making difficult decisions on how to balance out practicality, function, decent fuel economy, style and performance. As a real estate agent, your car is an extension of your office. It needs to be as comfortable if not more comfortable than the chairs you offer your clients. We want our vehicle to show that we are both successful and pragmatic. The days of toting around in big gas-hogs are over. The answer – the 2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

The C-Class may represent Mercedes-Benz entry-level vehicle, but this is no striped down car or basic car. It has all the performance, handling and comfort you need just bundled in a small fuel efficient package. Mercedes-Benz redesigned the C-Class sedan two years in the image of its flagship S-Class. From the moment you position yourself behind the wheel, your senses are overwhelmed or overjoyed with a combination of luxury, sport and safety features.

For 2010 the C-Class is available in the following trims: C300 Sport Sedan ($34,475), C300 Luxury Sedan ($36,175), C300 4Matic Sport Sedan ($37,975), C300 4Matic Luxury Sedan ($38,175), C350 Sport Sedan ($40,625) and the high performance C63 AMG Sedan ($60,325). All prices include destination charges.

Since the C-Class was redesigned in 2009 there aren’t any significant changes for the 2010 model year. The 2009 makeover was extensive with the C-Class growing 3.7-inches in length and 1.7-inches in width. The sheet metal was all new and upgraded with sleek flowing lines and a more angular appearance. The front grille differs on the Sport and Luxury models adding to their individuality. The Sport models have a large star mounted in the center of the grille. The grille on the Luxury trims has the traditional Mercedes-Benz grille and hood ornament.

The interior is what you would expect from Mercedes-Benz, rich, comfortable and stylish. My test model was the C350 Sport Sedan with two-tone white and black interior trimmed in aluminum and black Birdseye maple wood. The SIRIUS Satellite radio system is neatly hid behind a panel at the top of the center console that opens with the push of a button. Some of the standard features on our model included power sunroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated 10-way power driver seat, 8-way power passenger seat, leather wrapped steering wheel, power title and telescoping steering column, rain-sensing intermittent wipers, and automatic headlamps with twilight sensor.

Performance comes in the form of three engines. The C300 is equipped with a 3.0-liter V-6 228-hp, the C350 has a 3.5-liter V6 with 268-hp and the crown jewel AMG host a 6.2-liter V-8 pumping out 451 horses. The C300 Sport is the only model with a standard six-speed manual transmission. All other models come with a seven-speed automatic transmission with overdrive. The AMG model takes the seven-speed automatic transmission to the next level with the AMG Speedshift Plus. The two 4Matic trims are All-Wheel drive while the other models are Rear-Wheel drive.

Room for improvement:

·         Rear seat is a little bit tight

Cool Features:

·        Rain-sensing intermittent wipers

·        Bluetooth Connectivity

·        Aluminum Shift Knob

Safety features are always abundant on a Mercedes-Benz. The C-Class is equipped with the following airbags: dual two-stage front, side-impact mounted in front seat backrest, dual front pelvic, head protection curtains and driver’s side knee. Other safety features include electronic stability program, anti-slip regulation, 4-wheel ABS disc brakes with brake assist and active front head restraints.

In Summary – The 2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a compact luxury sedan with flair, style, performance and comfort. It handles like a sports car, while feeling like you are sitting in your living room. The variety of C-Class trims takes you from sport to luxury to extreme sport luxury. In other words, there is something for everyone. Your clients will no longer dread the ride from house to house. In fact, they may ask you to take them to more homes. Bottom line, you will impress your clients!

Specifications

2010 Mercedes-Benz C350 Sport Sedan

Base price:                  $40,625    as driven: $44,260 (with destination charges)

Engine:                         3.5-Liter V6

Horsepower:                286 @ 6000 rpm

Torque:                        258 pound-feet @ 2400 rpm

Transmission:               Seven-speed Automatic with Overdrive

Drive:                          Rear-Wheel-Drive

Seating:                       5-passenger

Turning circle:              35.6 feet

Cargo space:               12.4 cubic feet

Curb weight:                3615 pounds

Fuel capacity:               17.4 gallons

EPA mileage:               25 highway, 17 city

Wheel Base:                 108.7 inches

Warranty:                    4 years/50,000 miles

Also consider:             Audi A4, BMW 3-Series, Cadillac CTS, Infiniti G37, Lexus ES 350

Future changes:           All-New in 2008

2010 Ford Taurus

2010 Ford TaurusSleek and Stylish!



By Charles Donaldson

The business of real estate requires agents to spend a great deal of time in their cars dropping off for-sale signs and carrying clients from house to house. These job requirements mean we need a vehicle with lots of comfortable “real estate” of its own offering fuel efficiency and style. The all-new 2010 Ford Taurus is perfect for the job.

Ford has been on the roll, and besides being the only Big 3 American car company not to get bailed out by the government, it has also seen an increase in market share due to the high quality and fresh new products they are placing in showrooms. The Ford Taurus was the number one selling car in America for many years and the 2010 offering has the tools and style to get it back on top. It’s a full-size sedan and the all-new Taurus is more attractive and capable than previous versions.

The model lineup of the 2010 Ford Taurus is the SE ($25,995), SEL ($28,195), Limited ($32,595) and SHO ($38,595). All are available in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. The SHO is equipped with Ford’s new EcoBoost V6 twin turbocharged 365 horsepower engine that delivers the power of an 8-cylinder and the economy of a 6-cylinder engine. I found it to have the smoothest acceleration of any vehicle in its class and even more expensive vehicles. The base 3.5-liter V6 motor found in the other trim levels packs 263 horses that easily propels you onto the freeway.

As real estate brokers and agents, would you agree that the top five requirements you have in a company vehicle are: 1. Interior comfort, 2. Flexibility and Storage, 3. Fuel mileage, 4. Ride and Handling, and 5. Image/Styling?

For 2010, Ford completely restyled the Taurus creating a dynamic, edgy, and upscale shape. From the front, the fenders are more pronounced, the center of the hood is slightly raised like a hood scoop, the headlamps are thinner and wrap around, and the grille and fascia are new and very stylish. The roofline has been lowered and the side profile carries chiseled lines. At the rear, the new trunk lid slices the two rear tail lights into four pieces and connects them to the Ford logo with a chrome bar that spreads across from end to end. The license plate is relocated below the bumper cleaning up the trunk look.

Overall, the new sheet metal delivers a powerful stance and upscale silhouette. The fit and finish is what you would expect in a European vehicle. I test drove the SHO model that sports a rear spoiler which really drove home the athletic tone of the car.

The design culture that flows on the outside of the 2010 Taurus is carried through to the sculptured interior. Being a full-size car, there is plenty of space for both front and rear passengers as well as cargo. With seating for five, the seats are thick and comfortable and sit high for good visibility. Ours came with a feature that heated and cooled both the front and rear seats. The cabin is illuminated in day by a large power sunroof. The dash flowed across with clean lines, sliver touches, and large vents. A beefy center console housed a large screen that was the command center for radio, SYNC, navigation, rear camera view, climate control and phone setup.  A plus; it has three cup holders, place for your phone and a storage/armrest compartment with mp3/iPod connections. The key fob allows for push-button starting.

The 2010 Ford Taurus is well equipped with safety features including six airbags, automatic high beams, rain-sensing wipers, rear backup camera (SHO), blind spot monitoring system, power rear window shade, anti-lock brakes, and traction and stability control. An SOS post-crash alert system is new and standard on the Taurus. It activates after an impact that forces deployment of the airbags and automatically unlocks all doors, turns on the hazard flashers and sounds the horn. Ford also offers a collision warning system, adaptive cruise control and a Cross Traffic Alert system.

Room for improvement:

·         You can unlock the drivers-side door via a key pad on the door, but I would like to see key-fob related touch buttons on each door.

Cool Features:

·        Large Touch Screen with Bluetooth

·        Push Button Start

·        Soft Blue LED Ambient Interior Lighting

·        SYNC Voice-Activated System

In Summary – The 2010 Taurus follows Ford’s marketing plan of loading its new products with standard upscale and technical features. For example, Ford’s new MyKey feature allows parents to program a specific key fob with restricted vehicle functions for maximum speed and radio volume. Matched with its new upscale yet performance-born styling and EcoBoost engine opportunities, the all-new 2010 Ford Taurus is a new game changer and perfect car for real estate agents. Did I mention that the trunk has more than 20 cubic feet of storage area; that is almost twice the size of the Acura RL!

Specifications

2010 Ford Taurus SHO

Base price:                  $38,595    as driven: $42,060 (with destination charges)

Engine:                         3.5-Liter EcoBoost V6

Horsepower:               365 @ 5500 rpm

Torque:                       350 pound-feet @ 3500 rpm

Transmission:              Six-speed Automatic with Overdrive

Drive:                          All-Wheel-Drive

Seating:                       5-passenger

Turning circle:             39.7 feet

Cargo space:               20.1 cubic feet

Curb weight:               4224 pounds

Fuel capacity:              19 gallons

EPA mileage:               28 highway, 18 city

Wheel Base:                112.9 inches

Warranty:                    3 years/36,000 miles

Also consider:             Acura RL, Buick Lucerne, Chevrolet Impala, Chrysler 300, Hyundai Genesis, Toyota Avalon.

Future changes:           All-New in 2010

2010 Lincoln MKT

2010 Lincoln MKTLots of room for the Family!



By Charles Donaldson

For the many who have large families and need flexibility, but aren’t interested in the image of a minivan and have out grown the SUV fad, Lincoln offers a fresh upscale option in the form of the all-new 2010 MKT Crossover. From its large bold split-waterfall grille to its broad rear shoulders, this Lincoln will be the envy of your neighborhood.

Being a parent with a 21-month old son, and a 20 year old daughter, we took the MKT through the paces. Even with the little guy’s car seat positioned in the middle of the back seat, there was still plenty of room for passengers on both sides. Access to the third row seat was just a matter of ‘fold and flip’. I found it to be very family friendly. Locking down the child seat was also a breeze.

The 2010 Lincoln MKT shares the basic platform with the Ford Flex, but has completely different sheet metal and interior. The large grille is a modernized reflection of the 1940’s Lincolns and the rear hatch is shaped slightly pointed. Lincoln decided to take a bold design path rather than copy what everyone else is doing.

The large grille is bright and flows into the headlamps with chrome framed fog lamps sitting below. The bodylines are soft and flow elegantly from the front to the tall rear dominate-quarter panels. The overall presence emits strength and luxury. The MKT also illuminates ‘sports sedan’ with its chrome dual exhaust, rear spoiler, and prowling-like stance.

The MKT is available in three iterations: MKT front-wheel drive ($44,995), MKT all-wheel drive ($46,990), and MKT EcoBoost all-wheel drive ($49,995). The new EcoBoost engines give you the rocket power of a V8 out of a fuel-saving V6 motor by powering up twin turbo chargers that kick in early to provide a smooth and constant flow of acceleration. It is a truly incredible engine.

The Lincoln MKT satisfies your driving expectations for those who want upscale transportation for the more aggressive driver. The MKT road habits are quiet and smooth on normal roads and confident on sharp curves.  Adaptive HID headlamps rotate to the direction you are turning. Lincoln added shift paddles that allow you to take the six-speed automatic transmission and morph into manual mode.

The interior feels like a living room with the most comfortable of seats. Trimmed in real wood, the cabin is equipped with SYNC voice-activated communications and entertainment system and a THX sound system that trumps my home theater system. Sirius Satellite Radio is standard and here’s an attribute the kids will love - the CD Jukebox system allows you to store over one hundred CDs. The center stack houses the control screen for adjusting radio stations, interior temperatures, navigation directions, and more. Other features include a power accelerator adjustable pedal, power rear hatch, blind side awareness monitor, push button start, dual sunroofs, and a wood trimmed steering wheel.

In Summary – The 2010 Lincoln MKT offers unique styling, power, versatility, and luxurious features. The split rear and middle seats fold down to provide a flat floor for hauling family items. It is easy to get comfortable in the 12-way power front seats and tri-zone climate control. The rear camera and sensors makes backing up the MKT a breeze. If you are looking for an upscale, fun, family transport vehicle then take the All-New 2010 Lincoln MKT for a test drive. I think you will like what you find.

Specifications

2010 Lincoln MKT

Base price:                  $44,995    as driven: $49,790 (with destination charges) Engine:                       3.7-                                    Liter V6

Horsepower:               268 @ 6250 rpm

Torque:                       267 pound-feet @ 4250 rpm

Transmission:              Six-speed Automatic with Overdrive

Drive:                         Front-Wheel-Drive

Seating:                      7-passenger

Turning circle:             40.7 feet

Cargo space:              75.9 cubic feet

Curb weight:               4499 pounds

Fuel capacity:              18.6 gallons

EPA mileage:              23 highway, 17 city

Wheel Base:                117.9 inches

Warranty:                    4 years/50,000 miles

Also consider:             Audi Q7, BMW X5, Buick Enclave, Lexus GX470, Mercedes-Benz R-Class

Future changes:           All-New for 2010

2010 Suzuki Gran Vitara

2010 Suzuki Grand VitaraEven Dogs Enjoy  Comfort!



By Charles Donaldson

Not only do we as individuals love our canine “family members” city officials vote to construct dog parks strategically around communities to facilitate exercise for our four-legged friends. Unless we live in walking distance, we are forced to escort our dogs, open our vehicle, and forge forward with a wagging tail flopping back and forth like windshield wipers. On we go to the over-sized backyards where dogs can run free and converse with their new-found friends. 

Some of us might love our cars as much as we love our furry pets, which has us asking about which vehicles are dog friendly and still fun to drive. So what are we looking for in a dog friendly car? Here are my suggestions and please let me know if you have others.

• Ease of entry
• Durability of seats and cargo area
• Amount of space
• Ease of cleaning

This month we will investigate the 2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara; first for driving, styling and performance characteristics and second on its “dog-friendly” attributes.

The 2010 Grand Vitara has become the sole SUV in the Suzuki lineup. With a wheelbase of 103.9 inches and 177.1-inches of overall length, the Grand Vitara falls into the mid-size SUV class. The lineup is as follows: Grand Vitara, Grand Vitara Premium 2WD, Grand Vitara Premium 4WD, Grand Vitara XSport 2WD, Grand Vitara Limited 2WD, Grand Vitara XSport 4WD and Grand Vitara Limited 4WD.

There are two engine options: 4-cylinder 2.4-liter 166 HP and 6-cylinder 3.2-liter 230 HP. The base Grand Vitara comes standard with a manual transmission, while the other models are equipped with a five-speed automatic transmission with overdrive.

The exterior styling is contemporary and attractive. The wheels are stretched out as far as possible creating short overhangs and helping to improve the ride. Bold flared fenders, chrome touches, large head and tail lamps manifest a sporty presence. The large rear hatch with a mounted spare tire provides easy access for dogs or cargo. Opening up to a generous cargo area (70.8 cubic feet), or mobile animal transportation area, there is a removable cover to hide any stored contents.

As for the remaining interior, our 2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara Limited was dressed in two-tone colors with touches of black wood trim applique. The center dash was beautifully laid out with a pop-up small navigation screen on top. The seats were comfortable and all controls were positioned for easy access. Cup holders were well placed in both the front and back areas. The sun visors were designed with a pull-out feature to further block the sun. The rear cargo area was equipped with a cargo net that could store bags of food or bags of your best friend’s items.

Our test model also had standard leather seats. I would recommend placing a blanket over the seats allowing your pooch to ride in style. Dog claws and leather seats do not go well together.

Room for improvement:

·         It felt top heavy on turns

Cool Features:

·        Touchscreen GPS Navigation System

·        Remote Keyless Entry

·        Bluetooth system

·        Real time traffic, weather, movie times, etc.

In Summary – The 2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara is a well-equipped mid-size SUV at a discounted price. There is plenty of room for most dog breeds and other family pets. As for ease of cleaning, due to the leather seats and nice carpet your best bet is to cover any area you feel the family pet may lay paws on. So, is it dog friendly? I would say yes with a little help. Is it people friendly? My answer again is a resounding yes! In fact, the 2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara is so fun to drive with their pets; most masters will hunt for a good ‘barking place.”

Specifications

2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara

Base price:                  $26,999    as driven: $27,523 (with destination charges)

Engine:                         3.2-Liter V6

Horsepower:               230 @ 6200 rpm

Torque:                       213 pound-feet @ 3500 rpm

Transmission:               Five-speed Automatic with Overdrive

Drive:                          Four-Wheel-Drive

Seating:                       5-passenger

Turning circle:             36.7 feet

Cargo space:              70.8 cubic feet

Curb weight:               3876 pounds

Fuel capacity:              17.4 gallons

EPA mileage:              23 highway, 17 city

Wheel Base:                103.9 inches

Warranty:                    7 years/100,000 miles

Also consider:             Dodge Nitro, Ford Escape, Jeep Liberty, Mazda Tribute, Toyota RAV4

Future changes:           Estimated Redesign in 2011

2010 Suzuki Kizashi

2010 Suzuki KizashiSuzuki enters a new era!

By Charles Donaldson

What can you say when everyone wants to play in the popular mid-size arena but to do so you have to have a stylish, well crafted, performance driven vehicle?. With competition like the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, you better come to the table with a strong entry. Suzuki has done just that with the All-New 2010 Kizashi sedan. In fact, the name Kizashi means “something great is coming”!

Suzuki has wanted to be a player in the high-volume mid-size arena for a while; they haven’t had a worthy entry until now. The 2010 Kizashi is the result of a four+ year effort to create a vehicle that is probably Suzuki’s most important launch in the United States. So far so good;

the Kizashi was nominated for North American Car of the Year by a panel of top American automotive journalists.

Having a smaller presence in the United States, Suzuki has teamed with GM and rebadged a few of the vehicles in their lineup. This is not the case with the Kizashi; it is a completely home grown car out of Japan. It runs on a front-wheel drive architecture that is 183.1 inches in length and rides on a 106.3-inch wheelbase. The Kizashi is also available with all-wheel drive. Because it will be sold in markets throughout the world, it has been designed a little smaller than the typical U.S. mid-size sedans. With this in mind, Suzuki plans to undercut the prices of its potential rivals.

The 2010 Suzuki Kizashi comes in four models: S ($18,999), SE ($21,499), GTS ($22,499), and SLS ($24,399). Each model comes standard as front-wheel drive and is available in all-wheel drive as a $1,300 option. A navigation system with rearview camera is available on the GTS and SLS for $1,299.

All models of the Kizashi get their power from a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. The S, GTS, and SLS models are mated to a six-speed manual transmission or an optional continuously variable transmission (CVT). The SE model comes standard with the CVT. You can switch the CVT to manual shift mode. Horsepower is a 185 with the manual transmission and 180 with the CVT. Miles-per-gallon range from 20 to 23 City and 29 to 31 Highway depending on the model and engine/trans/drive combination. The 2.4-liter doesn’t give you rocket performance, but it is perfectly adequate for everyday driving.

Exterior styling is where the Kizashi has it all together. It isn’t over the top or tiredly conservative. The lines are sculptured and filled with Suzuki DNA.  Its profile is one of balance and that of a small sports sedan. The 18-inch alloy wheels are carved with 22-spokes. Large chrome dual exhaust tips add to the sports dynamic.

The interior is sharp, clean, and upscale for a car under $20,000. The center console flows out to each side like the wings of an eagle. All four doors have cup holders and power window switches. The center armrest area has two compartments and two more cup holders. The Smartpass keyless entry is mated to a start button on the dash and touch buttons on the front driver’s door to unlock the car.

Room for improvement:

·         Interior space is tight, yet workable, for a mid-size vehicle.

Cool Features:

·        Push button start

·        MP3 and USB ports

·        Multi-function trip computer

The 2010 Suzuki Kizashi has a long list of safety features including electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes, tire-pressure monitor system, and eight airbags: two frontal, two side impact and two side curtain.

The chief engineer of the Kizashi made handling his first priority and tested the suspension on the Swiss Alps. To provide tight steering and handling, he incorporated KYB rear shocks and a multi-link rear suspension. You will find the Kizashi loves to travel on curvy back roads.

In Summary – The 2010 Suzuki Kizashi is a fun-to-drive and well crafted sports sedan. Its smaller size is perhaps it’s only short-fall, but not enough to hamper its success. It handles like a sports sedan and offers more standard equipment than its competitors and at a lower price point. The fit-and-finish is top-notch, the seats are comfortable, and hold you in place. Paddle shifters add just the right technology. If you are living on a beer budget with Champagne taste, or just like a sporty sedan, take the 2010 Suzuki Kizashi out for a test drive.

Specifications

2010 Suzuki Kizashi SE

Base price:                  $21,499    as driven: $21,754 (including destination)

Engine:                         2.4-Liter 4-cylinder

Horsepower:               180 @ 6000

Torque:                       170 pound-feet @ 4000 rpm

Transmission:              Continuously Variable Transmission with paddle shifters

Drive:                          Front Wheel-Drive

Seating:                       5-passenger

Turning circle:              36 feet

Cargo space:               13.3 cubic feet

Curb weight:                3329 pounds

Fuel capacity:              16.6 gallons

EPA mileage:               30 highway, 23 city

Wheel Base:                106.3 inches

Warranty:                    7 years/100,000 miles Powertrain Limited

Also consider:             Chevrolet Malibu, Dodge Avenger, Ford Fusion, Kia Optima, Honda Accord, Mazda 6, Nissan Altima, and Toyota Camry

Future changes:            New for 2010

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDvgSsWBV04